ECUADOR - The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries (MAGAP), through the Vice Ministry of Aquaculture and Fisheries, has a contingency plan to include 140 fishing boat owners who employ about 600 crew members engaged in trawling, in order to pose new extractive activities.

Deputy Minister of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Guillermo Moran Velasquez explained that contingency measures taken by the Government, will help the owners and workers of the 140 vessels engaged in trawling, which will be removed from the October Ministerial Agreement 020.

The minister said that the government has financed trawl fishermen so they can carry on their business with artisanal fishing gear, which are environmentally responsible.

Trawling has been banned in many other countries due to its harmful impact on the environment. The government may find other uses for the boats such as tourist activities.

The Government will take appropriate measures and policies to ensure a sustainable and responsible development model for the environment, without affecting the activity of the fishing industry.